Worries over EU air cargo security rules implementation

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) welcomed the European Commission’s recent meetings with industry representatives in preparation of new E.U. air cargo security regulations, but warned that “much work remains to be done.”
The association also expressed worry that the regulations fall outside industry goals of “a common, unified approach to global security standards.” The new regulations take effect July 1, 2014.
Under the new rules, all carriers wishing to transport cargo or mail into the European Union/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) from a non-E.U./EFTA airport must ensure that an E.U. aviation security validation of their cargo and mail operations has been conducted at each airport by an independent expert.
Successful independent validation of a carrier’s non-E.U. airport operations will allow the carrier to be designated an "Air Cargo or Mail Carrier operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport" (ACC3). Airlines that have not obtained the necessary validation before July 1, 2014, will not be allowed to continue transporting cargo or mail into the European Union.
“While the E.U. views these ACC3 regulations as an important step towards ensuring a more secure and efficient supply chain over the long term, there are significant challenges to implementing them so quickly,” said TIACA Chairman Oliver Evans in a statement. “There is still little consistency among E.U./EFTA member states regarding the implementation process, and significantly more outreach is needed between the E.U. and non-E.U. civil aviation authorities.
“TIACA believes it is critical to find ways forward that enhance security but which do not disrupt vital commercial air cargo flows. Moreover, TIACA supports the process of developing standards on a global, rather than regional or unilateral basis,” he said.
TIACA urged the European Commission to maintain strong oversight of the regulation’s implementation and continue engagement with the industry to avoid the air cargo supply chain being disrupted on July 1, 2014.